To: Mayor and City Council
From: Russell Bunim, Community Development Director
Date: June 25, 2026
Subject: PROGRESS REPORT:
MEASURES TAKEN TO ALLEVIATE CONDITIONS WHICH LED TO ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 08-26, AN URGENCY ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A MASSAGE
ESTABLISHMENT MORATORIUM
This report is being submitted in accordance with Government Code Section 65858(d), which requires a written report describing the measures taken to alleviate the nuisance conditions that led to the adoption of a temporary moratorium prior to the extension of that moratorium.
On May 26, 2026, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 08-26, establishing a 45-day moratorium on the approval, issuance, acceptance, or processing of permits, business licenses, and land use entitlements for new massage establishments within the jurisdictional boundaries of the City of Orange.
The moratorium was enacted in response to concerns regarding illicit activities including massage services provided without proper State certification or licensing, unpermitted construction, unsanitary or unmaintained massage facilities, unprofessional business practices and prostitution.
Since the adoption of Ordinance No. 08-26, staff have undertaken the following steps to study and address these concerns:
Review of Existing Regulations: Staff is engaging in a comprehensive review of the Orange Municipal Code (OMC) Chapter 5.56, as well as other current municipal code provisions related to massage establishments to identify areas for improvement related to massage establishment regulations.
Research of Best Practices: Staff are reviewing regulatory frameworks used by other California cities including cities within Orange County that have successfully managed massage establishments.
Staff Training Needs: Staff will participate in an upcoming regional roundtable training hosted by the California Association of Code Enforcement Officers on June 22, 2026, focusing on illicit massage business enforcement, inspection best practices, and effective local regulatory and enforcement strategies.
Zoning Analysis: Staff are evaluating zoning strategies to better manage the location and density of massage establishments.
Coordination with Legal Counsel: Staff have consulted the City Attorney’s Office to ensure any proposed regulations are legally defensible and consistent with State law.
These efforts are ongoing, and due to the complexity of the matter, require additional time to complete.
Therefore, staff recommend that the City Council adopt an urgency ordinance extending the moratorium for an additional 22 months and 15 days, through May 25, 2028.
CONTACT INFORMATION
For questions or additional information, please contact:
Russell Bunim,
Community Development Director
(714) 744-7220
[email protected]